SapphireLover
Brilliant_Rock
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2009
- Messages
- 631
Out of blue zircon or blue spinel, which one sparkles the most? Do either of them give off fire?
Coati,Date: 5/25/2009 12:04:53 PM
Author: coatimundi
That''s the doubling of facet junctions as a result of a very high birefringence. (high type zircon) Well cut zircon can also display doubling.
Thanks for the information on zircons. How fascinating!! Are High property zircons more attractive than low and mid property ones? Is that why they are seen more in faceted material? I guess that''s something else to be on the lookout for when shopping for zircons.Date: 5/25/2009 12:27:56 PM
Author: coatimundi
TL,
Zircons display an interesting range of properties. They are generally classified in three types--high, medium, and low.
Low property zircon--damaged crystal structure as a result of radioactive elements. They have a lower RI, SG, and birefringence. They may appear singly refractive. Some low property zircons are close to amorphous.
Mid property zircon--Some radioactive damage to crystal structure. Their properties sit in between low and high. So lower, RI, SG, and birefringence than high property.
High property zircon--Undamaged crystal structures--for the most part. They have the properties that zircons are known for--high birefringence, RI, etc.
We mainly see high property zircon in faceted stones.
Zircon is brittle, so the facet junctions abrade quickly. Any doubling of smooth facet junctions appears so much worse when they are abraded. The color of heated zircon can be so pretty, but it''s a rather fragile stone.
Date: 5/25/2009 12:32:13 PM
Author: tourmaline_lover
Thanks for the information on zircons. How fascinating!! Are High property zircons more attractive than low and mid property ones? Is that why they are seen more in faceted material? I guess that's something else to be on the lookout for when shopping for zircons.
Date: 5/25/2009 12:35:34 PM
Author: SapphireLover
Thanks for the helpful replies. I think I am leaning more towards blue zircon. Scintillating is definitely the type of sparkle that I love.
This is why I''ve stayed away from Zircon so far...I don''t think I mix well with fragile stones. Very interesting information. TFSDate: 5/25/2009 12:27:56 PM
Author: coatimundi
TL,
Zircon is brittle, so the facet junctions abrade quickly. Any doubling of smooth facet junctions appears so much worse when they are abraded. The color of heated zircon can be so pretty, but it''s a rather fragile stone.